USCIS Begins Producing Security-Enhanced Travel Documents

To prevent secure document tampering, counterfeiting, and fraud, we will begin producing on Oct. 24 a new security-enhanced U.S. travel document, which is a booklet that looks similar to a U.S. passport and serves dual purposes. The travel document can serve in place of:

  • Form I-327, Permit to Reenter the United States: Lawful permanent residents use the Reentry Permit to return from temporary travel outside of the United States and, in some cases, may use a Reentry Permit for travel in place of a passport; and
  • Form I-571, Refugee Travel Document: Those with refugee or asylum status use a Refugee Travel Document if they wish to temporarily travel outside of the United States and, in some cases, may use a Refugee Travel Document for travel in place of a passport.

The new travel document will include a variety of secure features:

  • Redesigned booklet cover
  • Four montages containing three images, each of notable U.S. architecture, used throughout the booklet
  • A combination of first-, second- and third-level security features (overt, covert and forensic)
    • Overt is something you can see with the eye, such as the central image of the Statue of Liberty.
    • Covert is something that requires a tool, such as a magnifying glass, to see fine detail artwork.
    • Forensic is something that requires laboratory examination. 

Prior versions of the travel document will remain valid until their expiration date.

(From USCIS)

This article is for background purposes only and is not intended as legal advice or legal document. Please contact a professional immigration attorney for legal consultation and service.